Aykanian Clocks in as football coach

Rick Rendell/Daily News correspondent

Tuesday

Apr 27, 2010 at 12:01 AMApr 27, 2010 at 1:18 AM

Four years ago, Sem Aykanian told the MetroWest Daily News that "I would love to be a head football coach. Nothing feels more natural to me than teaching kids, leading kids and doing it in football." After many years paying his dues, Aykanian got his wish yesterday.

Four years ago, Sem Aykanian told the MetroWest Daily News that "I would love to be a head football coach. Nothing feels more natural to me than teaching kids, leading kids and doing it in football."

After many, many years paying his dues as an assistant coach, including the past four as defensive coordinator at the Rivers School, Aykanian got his wish yesterday when he was hired as head football coach at Ashland High.

"It's a dream come true," said the 52-year-old Aykanian. "I've been assistant coaching for 15 years. Now, I'm really excited with the opportunity over at Ashland. It's a real challenge. I'm looking forward to it."

"Sem will do a great job bringing enthusiasm to the program," said Ashland athletic director Jim Adams. "He comes highly regarded. He's excited and is about as happy as he can be."

Aykanian replaces Dave DiGirolamo, who resigned earlier this year after five seasons.

"Dave wanted to spend more time with his family," said Adams. "That was the major factor....He has young kids. He was a great asset to the program here."

After finishing with a 7-4 record in 2008, the Clockers were 1-10 two years ago and 0-11 last fall.

Aykanian has already established his top priority.

"The first thing we need is to increase the numbers," he said. "They went to battle with 24 kids (last year). In that league (Tri-Valley), that will not get it done. I'd like to create a buzz in the community and make it fun for the kids. The bottom line is to increase the numbers."

To drum up interest in the football program, Aykanian is planning to speak to the faculty and has an upcoming speaking engagement at the Ashland Lions Club. Aykanian is planning to make the time for this. He has a law firm in his hometown of Marlborough, where he's been a real estate attorney since 1985.

"I want to be a presence in school," he said. "I've got some goals. I'd like to get 45 kids out of three classes. I think that's a doable thing with 80-85 per class. That's 15 per class. We're going to try and get there."

Aykanian has always been passionate about football.

He graduated in 1976 from Marlborough High, where he was fullback/linebacker and senior captain for the Panthers. He went on to start at both fullback and linebacker at Bates College.

"I like the fact of his background in football, having gone to Bates and played there," said Adams. "From playing in the NESCAC at Bates, he understands the importance of student-athletes. Being a student comes first at Bates. That's really important to me."

After graduating from Bates, Aykanian earned a law degree from Western New England College. He became a football assistant at his alma mater in the mid-1990s, hired to coach the linebackers and tight ends at Marlborough High. After four years as an assistant with the Panthers, Aykanian took over as the defensive coordinator at St. Mark's in Southborough for two years. He spent the following three seasons coaching wide receivers/tight ends at Framingham State College.

"I did not know him at Marlborough," said Adams, who coached the Panthers boys basketball team shortly after Aykanian left. "But when I checked references, I knew a lot of the same people there he knew. I knew (Marlborough athletic director) Jeff Long and other people he knew and that was nice to reach people who I had a professional relationship with. They had glowing recommendations on what he does with kids."

Aykanian was chosen from a pool of 10-to-12 candidates. In the process to hire a new football coach, Adams worked closely with a search committee of 10-plus people that also included parents and student-athletes.

"We kept looking for who would be best for Ashland," said Adams. "We were looking for someone who has a lot of enthusiasm, is great with kids and will be able to help teach them as they become young men."

Aykanian plans to contact the assistant coaches from last year's staff in the next two weeks. "I want to see what their interest is and see if it's a good fit," he said.

Aykanian is relieved to finally be a head football coach and is eager to get started.

"A (head coaching) job is so hard to get," he said. "I have three goals. I want this as an education platform, to have fun and to win. This is a tremendous opportunity. Ashland has some athletes. It's a matter of getting the kids out. I believe there's good here interest here. It's exciting and is going to take hard work."

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